2018 Buick Regal Wagon previewed by Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

by Bob Nagy | February 7, 2017 7:25 AM

Set to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer offers a glimpse of the 2018 Buick Regalwagon. As it joins the recently unveiled Insignia Sedan, the wagon also foreshadows a Buick-badged version due to arrive here later this year. Whether it turns up in U.S. showrooms as a sport wagon or higher-riding quasi-crossover has yet to be confirmed, and the same holds true for the specific model designation it will carry here.

Like the upcoming Insignia/Regal sedans, the Insignia Sports Tourer is spun from GM’s new Epsilon 2XX architecture, a choice that gives the Sedan version a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase, wider track while shaving over 350 pound from the curb weight. The new model introduces the FlexRide suspension with driver-selectable adaptive damping, steering and throttle mapping. Drawing on the Opel Monza Concept for its design themes, the new Sports Tourer’s crisp, clean and elegantly aggressive lines have a contemporary appearance set off by its LED lighting, a large tailgate with available hands-free kick-gesture activation and an optional panoramic glass roof.

The spacious 5-passenger cabin of the Insignia Sports Tourer has a modern look and feel that includes a wide range of premium trim, new ergonomic heated/ventilated power front seats available with massage function and heated outboard rear seat positions. A driver-oriented infotainment display incorporates the latest IntelliLink system with 4G LTE Wi-Fi that offers support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as OnStar with a new connectivity and service assistant feature. With its rear seat folded, the new Sports Tourer can tote almost 58 cu. ft. of cargo. Highlighting the selection of available driver assists are a Head-up Display, 360-degree surround camera, Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction and Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

The Insignia Sports Tourer will be offered in Europe in front- and all-wheel drive. Opel has confirmed a selection of powertrains, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder being a likely bet to make it into Buick service as well. We expect to see GM’s new 8-speed automatic transmission here as well, although initially, Opel says it will only be available on AWD versions of the Sports Wagon.